Officially Declaring March 22nd a Country Music Holiday

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Friday, March 22nd is one of those days where not just the top level of album releases includes monster names, but the volume of big album releases overall constitutes such a monster day of new music, it’s worth taking a moment to peruse them all.

That is why by the power vested in Saving Country Music, March 22nd, 2024 is officially being declared a country music Holiday, with all the rights and privleges thereof. Feel free to print this article out as verification to play hookie from work or school, or to get out of other daily chores. However, please understand that these rights and privledges are non-transferrable, and have no cash value.



Cody Jinks – Change The Game

Change The Game was produced by Ryan Hewitt, who is known for working with the Turnpike Troubadours, American Aquarium, and on Cody’s 2016 album I’m Not the Devil. Cody’s long time bass player Joshua Thompson also co-produces. This time Cody chose to forgo The Sonic Ranch recording studio in West Texas where he cut many of his recent albums, and instead recorded at the MOXE outside of Nashville.

“This is the most open and honest record I’ve ever recorded, I laid everything out,” Jinks says about the album. You hear this in his vulnerable and honest new track, “Sober Thing,” shirking the “Outlaw” country stereotype. This joins the certified banger “Mustangs and Outlaws” released in October from the album. (read more)

Sierra Ferrell – Trail of Flowers

The new album from Saving Country Music’s reigning Artist of the Year finds the West Virginia songwriter taking listeners on a fantastic journey through the familiar and surreal. She starts with Appalachian music and instills it with a thrust of mirth and mystery. It’s produced by Eddie Spear and Gary Paczosa with Nikki Lane, Lukas Nelson, Chris Scruggs, and Kristen Rogers appearing as guests.

“With ‘Trail of Flowers,’ I wanted to make a fuller sound with bigger drums, but still stay true to the stripped-down feel of old-time music whenever it felt right,” says Ferrell. “I wanted to create something that makes people feel nostalgic for the past, but excited about the future of music.” (read more)

Taylor Hunnicutt – Alabama Sound

Alabama’s Taylor Hunnicutt has already been making major waves as a touring artist opening for The Red Clay Strays, Silverada, Muscadine Bloodline, and more. You see her name adorn big tour posters and major festival lineups, all before she’s even released her official debut album. Now Alabama Sound is here, and it’s the announcement of a major force in roots music.

“It’s a little country, a little singer/songwriter, and a little Americana,” Hunnicutt says about the album recorded live with her touring band in Alabama. “There’s a whole lot of soul and Southern rock, too. To me, that sound encompasses my home. It’s not one genre—it’s just Alabama … I’m happy with the push-and-pull of some of the songs, because it sounds so real and raw. It sounds like us.”

Ted Russell Kamp – California Son

The singer, songwriter, California country mainstay, and Shooter Jennings’ bass player wasn’t exactly sure if he’d be releasing a new album this year. But when Shooter announced his virtual retirement from the road to focus on producing, the calendar for Ted Russell Kamp opened up, and it’s allowed him to put a renewed focus on his own music.

“I think my arranging and producing is just getting better each year,” Kamp says. “This album is more autobiographical in a more literal way than usual in my previous songs and albums. There are love songs to LA and California, songs about me as a musician and the music and lyrics really capture something about me in a day to day way, as well as a more poetic way like I feel my music more often does. It’s a soulful and beautiful record with some real well-written songs that I’m very proud of.”

Chasen Wayne – Strange Places

Chasen Wayne is currently making waves in the Austin scene, and also works as the booker at Austin’s Sagebrush. He made national news when he was able to land Zach Bryan for a surprise show at Sagebrush back in January as part of the “Nine Ball” video shoot.

“I tried to do something different,” Chasen Wayne says. “I feel I don’t have anything to prove to the country world and I thought about the history of Austin music and how I could make my claim in the scene. I thought about Sahm, I thought about Jazz, and I thought about a feeling that has been too familiar in my life that kept cropping up. I hope you can enjoy it and appreciate it in your own way.”

Waxahatchee – Tigers Blood

Waxahatchee and lead singer/songwriter Katie Crutchfield have always been considered more indie rock than country or even Americana. But their music is always served with distinct roots undertones that are inescapable due to Crutchfield’s Southern roots in Alabama. Whether it was with her previous band P.S. Eliot, her side project Plains with Jess Williamson, or the lead single from Tigers Blood called “Right Back To It,” Waxahatchee finds wide appeal through well-written songs.

For the new album, Katie Crutchfield collaborated with Wednesday’s MJ Lenderman, Spencer Tweedy, and Megafaun’s Phil and Brad Cook. Even more than the previous Waxahatchee albums, Tigers Blood is one worth considering for Americana fans.

Sam Morrow – On The Ride Here

Sam Morrow is a slippery dude when trying to nail him down in any genre. That’s because of the grease and sweat dripping from his music that’s distinctly rootsy rock and roll if nothing else. This is music from the road, for the road, and of the road. It’s Sam Morrow.

On The Ride Here was produced in Southern California by longtime collaborator and Copaco label chief, Grammy nominated producer Eric Corne. Players on the album include guitarists Eli Wulfmeier and Eamon Ryland, bassists Ted Russell Kamp and Adam Arcos, keyboardist Sasha Smith with drummers Matt Tecu and Butch Norton.

The Frontmen – Self-Titled

If you’re into ’90s country, this supergroup give you the opportunity to experience the music of three legendary ’90s bands all in one. Richie McDonald formerly of Lonestar, Tim Rushlow formerly of Little Texas, and Larry Stewart of Restless Heart comprise The Frontmen. And along with playing many of their most familiar hits from the ’90s, they have a new album of nine original songs, as well as new versions of some of their previous iconic hits.

“It’s super cool to release brand new music as a full album with The Frontmen this month,” says Larry Stewart. “I’m so excited about this music, these songs and how this project represents the three of us so perfectly. Mickey Jack Cones did a magical job capturing Richie, Tim and myself from top to bottom. I can’t wait for the world to hear it and I couldn’t be more proud!”


David Beck – Goodbye Country Stars – David Beck says of the new album, “Tried our hand at making the best Texas singer/songwriter record we possibly could.” Beck is a former member of Sons of Fathers with Paul Cauthen, and he solicited former members of the band and his father Bill Whitbeck to bring Goodbye Country Stars to life.

Charlie Parr – Little Sun – A modern master of the resonator guitar and folk/country/blues moaning took a different approach with this album. “My recordings have always been done live, with few if any overdubs and nearly always the first take—leave all the mistakes, missed lyrics, extraneous noise, and whatever else might happen there for the ages,” Parr says. “Most records have been recorded in roughly the time that it took to play the songs. And that’s been fine, actually. Here’s a new way for me, though: here’s an album that was recorded live but in collaboration with producer Tucker Martine, who’s become a friend and trusted musical ally.”

Christian Parker – Change Is Now: A Tribute to The Byrds – Parker dazzled last year with his remake tribute of Sweetheart of the Rodeo by The Byrds. It worked so well, he decided to make a second album in tribute to the West Coast roots rocking legends.

Hellbound Glory – Malt Liquor EP – A couple of new songs that Leroy Virgil has been featuring live recently, along with three live cuts.

Dylan Gossett – Songs in the Gravel EP – Super fast rising songwriter in the vein of Zach Bryan who has found big traction on social media. He is the first signee to Big Loud Texas with Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall. Expect the songs of this EP for feed into an LP eventually.

Ruston Kelly – Weakness, Etc. EP – Stripped down recordings to coincide with a Ruston Kelly acoustic tour this spring.

The Lucky Ones – Nickel For The Fiddler EP – A bluegrass EP from this Yukon-based band recorded live that will feed into a full LP later this year.

Driftwood – December Last Call – Americana music from Upstate New York.

Creekbed Carter Hogan – Self-Titled – Stripped-down acoustic folky country.

Pat Reedy – Make It Back Home

Aoife O’Donovan – All My Friends

Kenny Chesney – Born – For all those mainstream country fans out there. A Chesney album is usually good for a good album cut or two.

© 2023 Saving Country Music

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